PAP reports-trouble getting info

Hi folks-Great site!
I'm new and some of this note is redundant to other posts but I'll try to be brief.
I was at a sleep study recently (it takes 2 years to get in, in Atlantic Canada- we only have 2 doctors. None in my province) and the doctor sent me home with 2 different perscriptions to try. I just finished a trial of CPAP at pressure 12 and starting tonight I try BiPAP at 18/10. That's not the issue. Problem: The tech doesn't want me to buy software nor learn about my own printouts. I asked him for them and he said "Oh, No, patients don't usually read them or buy it. It's outragously expensive and you can come in here once a year and I'll print it off for you." Today, I was there and asked him for the CPAP info and he said he'd give me the one page summary information (I didn't get it) but I REALLY feel like he doesn't want me to know about it/or, heaven forbid, when I suggested that I'd like to know how to change pressure if my apneas were worse....NO.
Is anybody else experiencing difficulty or is it because I'm new and he's right? Just want a bit of input. I was talking with a great member of this site-Rooster- and he seems to feel that I'm entitled. Reading emails amongst you veterans, you all seem to be in charge of your own data. I don't know anything much yet, but I DO know that I didn't sleep the same at my study as I do at home and udoubtedly, my numbers will need adjusting? Yes?
Thanks in advance.
CFJ

My machine lets me access the data each day so I can record it. I do not yet have a data card reader or software but I plan to purchase both and neither is that expensive especially since I will have more access to the results of my therapy. What make and model is the machine you used and will be using. Perhaps you can access daily data yourself.

Once you have a machine, you can get the reader and software. Otherwise some machines let you read some data off the lcd and you can reset it each day. With the respironics m series, that reset will not affect the data on the smartcard.

crossfit junkie wrote:Hi folks-Great site!
I'm new and some of this note is redundant to other posts but I'll try to be brief.
I was at a sleep study recently (it takes 2 years to get in, in Atlantic Canada- we only have 2 doctors. None in my province) and the doctor sent me home with 2 different perscriptions to try. I just finished a trial of CPAP at pressure 12 and starting tonight I try BiPAP at 18/10. That's not the issue. Problem: The tech doesn't want me to buy software nor learn about my own printouts. I asked him for them and he said "Oh, No, patients don't usually read them or buy it. It's outragously expensive and you can come in here once a year and I'll print it off for you." Today, I was there and asked him for the CPAP info and he said he'd give me the one page summary information (I didn't get it) but I REALLY feel like he doesn't want me to know about it/or, heaven forbid, when I suggested that I'd like to know how to change pressure if my apneas were worse....NO.
Is anybody else experiencing difficulty or is it because I'm new and he's right? Just want a bit of input. I was talking with a great member of this site-Rooster- and he seems to feel that I'm entitled. Reading emails amongst you veterans, you all seem to be in charge of your own data. I don't know anything much yet, but I DO know that I didn't sleep the same at my study as I do at home and udoubtedly, my numbers will need adjusting? Yes?
Thanks in advance.
CFJ

WHICH Bi-PAP are you getting? There are Bi-Level/Bi-PAP machines that aren't data-capable. If they try to give you one with the word "Plus" in the name (Respironics/REMstar), it won't be data-capable and you need to get them to give you something else.

Do your homework.

https://www.cpap.com/cpap-compare-chart/all-BiPAP

Take charge of your own therapy. It IS, after all, YOUR therapy.

Den

Which brand and model CPAP or bi-level do you have? Some are fully data capable and some aren't. If we know the brand and model we'll know whether the device you have is fully data capable and quite likely someone here will be able to provide a pdf file of the Clinicians Manual for your device. Local Canadian and American durable medical equipment providers only provide the Users Manual. The Clinicians Manual is the "goodie" that provides the real skivvy on what is what w/your device. And if your device is fully data capable those who have found the cheapest source for the software, etc. can share that info too. This forum and its members are just full of information your local DME supplier doesn't want you to have. And we love sharing that info w/newbies.

Thanks folks- I love 'ya. Not sure what machine I'm getting yet until I see the Sleep Specialist Doc. on Feb25th. I'm leaning towards (without much knowledge, other than what I'm learning by reviewing all the specs of machines on-line) the BiPAP Auto with BiFlex by Respironics and it appears to come with Encore Pro Smart Card-Is that a data reader? I'm pretty sure it will be a BiPAP I'm buying and not CPAP considering my perscription that I'm trying in this trial period is 18/10 AND how I felt last night with the BiPAP even when it didn't seem to be 'insinc' with me. Can't explain it but it was like, let's say it takes ME 5 seconds to breath IN. Well, the machine blew in only 4 seconds and I still wanted more 'blow'. It stoped before I was ready. It was like there was this big 'puff' at the top but the 'top' should have continued for a bit. It drove me crazy!! Not complain' as I'm sure this is something that my tech can fix. Only problem is, is that this is Friday and he doesn't work until Monday.
This afternoon I'm going to study the website that Wulfman sent me -the BiPAP comparison chart. What a great page! He's done some of my homework for me.
Take care, everybody and have a wonderful weekend.
CFJ

Yes, the Encore Pro Smart Card is the data card for that machine. You will need to buy Encore Viewer Software and the Card Reader to read the data on your computer.

Your tech will probably not sell it to you and, even if he/she would, it would be really expensive, since you are in Canada.

You can buy the "package" - software and card reader at cpap.com for a good price.